OFFENDER JAILED FOR VIOLENCE AGAINST SIX EX-PARTNERS IN TAYSIDE
A 33-year-old former soldier has received a four-year prison sentence after being convicted of a campaign of serious violence against six women with whom he previously had relationships in Tayside.Richard Beech, who hails from Dundee, was found guilty of physically abusing these women over a period of six years, though he was cleared of four charges of rape.
Following his imprisonment, he will be subject to two years of community monitoring.
The court proceedings revealed that the crimes took place in Dundee and Forfar.
One particularly alarming incident involved Beech attacking a woman so viciously that she feared he intended to kill her; he held a pillow over her face and gripped her throat at a residence in Forfar.
She described her terror by saying, 'I actually thought he was going to kill me.' Although she was able to push him away, she remained deeply frightened afterward.
In another case, a woman who met Beech online recalled that he initially seemed ‘like a nice guy,’ but eventually his behavior turned violent and aggressive.
She also mentioned that he claimed to have knowledge of bomb-making.
Beech, who also had a prior conviction for going AWOL from the army, was convicted on nine charges related to offenses against six women taking place between 2007 and 2013.
The defense maintained that Beech continues to deny all allegations.
During sentencing, Judge Lady Scott stated that Beech had subjected one partner to repeated violence, including slappings, pouring hot liquid on her, headbutting, and threatening her.
She pointed out that he had also constricted the necks of three victims, with one of them believing she was going to die multiple times.
The judge characterized his conduct as a prolonged and serious pattern of violence against female partners, emphasizing the gravity of his actions.
